Essential Workforce Designation

MHI has worked closely with the White House, Department of Homeland Security, and other real estate groups to ensure manufactured housing operations is considered essential and not restricted by stay-at-home orders.

We are also offering assistance to any state association that requests help with advocacy on this important topic. We have provided information for state associations (see above) to reach out to governors and local leaders since these orders are currently coming at the state and local levels. 

Industry-Wide AC Letter for Windows

Through discussions with members, MHI was made aware of some supply chain challenges as a result of the COVID-19 emergency, such as a lack of window availability, which had the potential to impact manufactured housing production. Due to MHI’s strong relationship and advocacy with the Office of Manufactured Housing Programs (OMHP), OMHP issued an industry-wide AC letter for windows (20-IW1-AC). This industry-wide AC letter, the first ever issued by HUD, allows manufacturers that need the flexibility, to continue production of affordable housing and install windows that meet or exceed the Federal Standards.  This letter does not require individual manufacturers to request approval, saving time, burdens, and costs that would otherwise be incurred with a typical AC letter.

Rental Assistance and Financial Mitigation Measures for Community Owners and Operators

As Congress begins discussions about the next stimulus package in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, MHI is calling for further Congressional action related to the financial viability and stability of the rental housing industry and its residents. MHI continues to work as a part of a coalition of national housing industry trade groups to advocate for rental assistance and financial mitigation measures for property managers—including manufactured home community owners. Specifically, the coalition is asked Congress to tie eviction moratorium protections to those renters impacted by COVID-19,  create an emergency rental assistance program for those who have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, establish a Federal Reserve credit facility for mortgage servicers, and ensure multifamily businesses have access to government support programs.

Working to Ensure MHCs Benefit from the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program

MHI submitted a comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure manufactured housing community owners and operators have access to federal aid through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). SBA has issued regulations and guidance that could be interpreted by administrative lenders to specifically exclude manufactured housing communities from the PPP. Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, MHI has continued its fight to ensure the needs of manufactured housing communities are prioritized in federal regulatory and legislative actions created to help American businesses through this difficult time. MHI is emphasizing before the Administration and Congress that manufactured housing community owners and operators are on the front lines providing needed services for residents during months-long stay-at-home orders, and they must be supported during this unprecedented time.

Stimulus Funds for American Workers and Businesses

MHI, along with a coalition of housing leaders, submitted a letter to Congress strongly urging additional funding for the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) to ensure MHI’s membership can take advantage of this financial support during this difficult time. Additional funding for the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) now-depleted PPP has stalled in Congress putting American workers and businesses at risk of greater financial impact from the COVID-19 outbreak.

The PPP provided much-needed relief for many families and businesses, but Congress’ failure to approve additional funding last week has left many eligible American businesses and workers waiting in the application process uncertain about their economic future.  The program, which was set up to distribute $349 billion in stimulus funds on a first-come, first-served basis, quickly ran out of funds after it launched April 3.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin continues to meet with Congressional Democrats to iron out details for an agreement to pass additional funds. MHI is closely monitoring this situation and will continue to work with housing leaders, Congress and the Administration to ensure the businesses and workers who make up our industry have access to federal financial support.